Wednesday, 28 September 2011 09:49

An amazing little girl who had her cleft lip surgery. People ask me why I volunteer overseas so much.. It takes my eyes off me and allows me to remember what life is all about. When we use what we have been given (whatever that might be) to make a positive change for our world, thats when life make sense.... In a time when the world seems to be imploding with greed, there are certain things that will always remain invaluable..like the smile on this girls face when she realises her life will be changed forever.

Her life has impacted mine as I have hers..but thats whats it all about..both being happier because the miracle of life allowed us to cross one another's paths and leave each other in a better place because we met . Without judgement.

Her lip is still swollen and painful as she is only 24 hours post surgery but the joy in her eyes is unmistakable and makes my heart laugh without measure. I hope it brings the same to you.

See what you can do to help.. Support Operation Smile and help change lives one smile at a time.

Thursday, 08 September 2011 09:02

I've become a curious spectator of the Got Talent global phenomena in recent years. Part marketing hype and part entertainment, every so often we are drawn to a contestant with incredible spirit whose talent shines through despite some "imperfection". A couple years back it was "spinster" Susan Boyle of Britains Got Talent. More recently,  two Got Talent winners have solicited not only media attention but raised questions about the nature of media.

Liu Wei from China and Bogdana Petrova of Bulgaria were top winners in 2010. What makes them unique, is that one was an armless pianist and the other a blind singer; and, both are from either a present Communist system or a vestigal one, where one's rights and dignity are tied to one's production.

Curious. Can media help the spirit survive in an age that accelerates towards utility, production, and a Marxist economic vision of society?  I find it ironic that money-driven media broadcasting has an unspoken feedback loop tied to "human interest" stories; stories of people who have overcome, um, the hardships of oppressive utility. Perhaps profit scenarios and economics are not the last word. Perhaps it is the word "spirit" -- that intangible quality and spark of life that transforms all human matter.

Friday, 12 August 2011 14:23

The documentary China Blue follows Jasmine, one of many teenagers working at a blue jeans factory, struggling to survive brutal work conditions. Shot clandestinely and without permission from Chinese authorities, China Blue takes a rare and poignant look at the individuals who toil day-to-day to make the clothes we buy. The film remains banned in China.

Watch the clip below, as filmmaker Micha Peled gives some background on China Blue.

Thursday, 11 August 2011 00:00

Do you ever feel like a victim? Place yourself in someone's tattered shoes -- a prisoner’s shoes. The shoes of a woman who was stolen from her home and thrown behind cold bars.

You are  raped. You become pregnant. And, you give birth to your little helpless child amidst the tumult and fingered accusations of a communist show trial. So far are you now from the warm embraces and happy salutations of a loving family and friends such a life-moment deserves.

You are alone.